LIVE: Delta IV-M+(5,4) - WGS-9 - March 18, 2017 (EDT)

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Update on booster issue status:

The #DeltaIV team is finalizing closure actions for the booster issue in support of final #WGS9 launch preparations.

https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/840611418701479937

[jacqmans]

(Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., March 11, 2017, noon EST): The ULA Delta IV rocket carrying the WGS-9 satellite for the U.S. Air Force is scheduled for no earlier than March 17, due to Eastern Range availability. The launch vehicle team is finalizing closure actions for the booster issue in support of final launch preparations.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Weather looking good for Friday (90% GO):

Launch day overall probability of violating weather constraints: 10%
Primary concern(s): Lift-Off Winds

48-hour delay overall probability of violating weather constraints: 20%
Primary concern(s): Cumulus Clouds, Lift-Off Winds

[FutureSpaceTourist]

According to updated weather forecast, issued today, launch has moved back a day to Saturday 18th:

Launch day overall probability of violating weather constraints: 10%
Primary concern(s): Cumulus Clouds
24-hour delay overall probability of violating weather constraints: 20%
Primary concern(s): Lift-Off Winds

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Just issued updated forcecast attached.

No change in launch probabilities or potential violations from yesterday's forecast, so still 90% GO for Saturday.

Launch day overall probability of violating weather constraints: 10%
Primary concern(s): Cumulus Clouds
24-hour delay overall probability of violating weather constraints: 20%
Primary concern(s): Lift-Off Winds

[PahTo]

Is the launch window the same?
Note previous post mentioned 121 minute window opening at 6:35 EST.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Finally some confirmation:

USAF's #WGS9 launch rescheduled for 18 Mar 7 p.m. EST! Here she is getting put to bed for the ride on #DeltaIV. https://www.dvidshub.net/video/513224/b-roll-wgs-9-encapsulation

https://twitter.com/AFSpace/status/842404304807989248

[PahTo]

Finally some confirmation:

USAF's #WGS9 launch rescheduled for 18 Mar 7 p.m. EST! Here she is getting put to bed for the ride on #DeltaIV. https://www.dvidshub.net/video/513224/b-roll-wgs-9-encapsulation

https://twitter.com/AFSpace/status/842404304807989248

Thanks--note we're on daylight time now, so still not sure what time liftoff will be...

[kevin-rf]

Finally some confirmation:

USAF's #WGS9 launch rescheduled for 18 Mar 7 p.m. EST! Here she is getting put to bed for the ride on #DeltaIV. https://www.dvidshub.net/video/513224/b-roll-wgs-9-encapsulation

https://twitter.com/AFSpace/status/842404304807989248

Thanks--note we're on daylight time now, so still not sure what time liftoff will be...

I would vote they ment 7pm EDT.... 23:00 GMT.

The EST/EDT thing throws many for a loop.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Here's a hopefully rather more precise notification:

ULA ‏Verified account @ulalaunch 5m5 minutes ago

Rocket fans! The ULA #DeltaIV #WGS9 mission for the @usairforce is scheduled for March 18. Launch window is 7:44-8:59 p.m. EDT.

https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/842418577961545728

[input~2]

WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
182344Z TO 190134Z MAR,
ALTERNATE 2344Z TO 0134Z COMMENCING DAILY
19 AND 20 MAR IN AREAS:
A. BOUND BY
28-35N 080-35W, 28-35N 080-00W,
28-34N 079-55W, 28-30N 079-52W,
28-27N 079-55W, 28-26N 079-58W,
28-29N 080-34W, 28-34N 080-35W.
B. BETWEEN
28-35N 28-10N AND 078-47W 078-07W.
C. BETWEEN
27-26N 27-01N AND 068-20W 067-20W.
D. BOUND BY
24-05N 052-14W, 23-15N 049-43W,
22-54N 049-54W, 23-40N 052-24W.
2. CANCEL NAVAREA IV 206/17, 211/17.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 200234Z MAR 17.//

Authority: EASTERN RANGE 161326Z MAR 17.

Date: 161537Z MAR 17
Cancel: 20023400 Mar 17

[input~2]

and upper stage re-enter zone:

WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
DNC 12.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 191157Z TO 191312Z MAR,
ALTERNATE 1156Z TO 1312Z DAILY 20 AND 21 MAR
IN AREA BOUND BY
16-58N 153-50E, 13-38N 159-01E,
11-22N 158-00E, 14-40N 152-15E.
2. CANCEL HYDROPAC 906/17.
3. CANCEL THIS MSG 211412Z MAR 17.//

Authority: EASTERN RANGE 161715Z MAR 17.

Date: 161723Z MAR 17
Cancel: 21141200 Mar 17

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Updated forecast issued today attached.

No change in launch probabilities or potential violations, so still 90% GO for Saturday.

Launch day overall probability of violating weather constraints: 10%
Primary concern(s): Cumulus Clouds
24-hour delay overall probability of violating weather constraints: 20%
Primary concern(s): Lift-Off Winds

[FutureSpaceTourist]

45th Space Wing @‏45thSpaceWing 2m2 minutes ago

The @usairforce celebrates #afb70 TOMORROW when we launch our #WGS9 from @ulalaunch #DeltaIV!

https://twitter.com/45thSpaceWing/status/842752916150738944

[FutureSpaceTourist]

ULA's Launch Readiness Review is complete. #DeltaIV #WGS9 is set to launch March 18. Window opens at 7:44pmEDT bit.ly/div_wgs9

https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/842764133246418944

[jacqmans]

March 17, 2017

 MEDIA ADVISORY
 RELEASE #031717

 Launch Window Opens: 7:44 p.m.

 45th SW to support Delta IV WGS-9 launch
 By 45th Space Wing Public Affairs

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. - The U.S. Air Force's 45th Space Wing will support the United Launch Alliance Delta IV WGS-9 launch March 18 from Space Launch Complex 37 here with a launch window opening at 7:44 p.m. ET.

The ULA Delta IV rocket is carrying the Air Force's ninth Wideband Global SATCOM communication spacecraft. WGS provides anytime, anywhere communication for soldiers, sailors, Airmen, Marines, and international partners through broadcast, multicast, and point-to-point connections. The WGS constellation is the highest-capacity military communications system in the U.S. Department of Defense arsenal.

WGS supports a wide variety of missions for Combatant Commanders around the world to perform missions, from search and rescue efforts to military operations.

Due to safety and security restrictions associated with this launch, 45th SW Public Affairs' typical media viewing location on the ITL Causeway is closed. Media are invited to cover the launch from an alternate location on CCAFS near the 5th Space Launch Squadron building off Philips Parkway at the northern edge of the Industrial Area.

[jacqmans]

ULA WGS-9 Launch New Date

Main Visitor Complex Viewing Only

 The launch of United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station carrying the WGS-9 satellite for U.S. Air Force Space Command has been rescheduled again. The new launch date is Saturday, March 18 at 7:44 pm.

 Due to the newly announced confirmation of date and time, special launch viewing areas are no longer available. Launch viewing is available at Kennedy Space Center main visitor complex only. The main visitor complex viewing area with bleacher seating and launch commentary is included with daily admission.

Rocket Launch Location

 Launch viewing transportation tickets purchased for WGS-9 special launch viewing at LC-39 Observation Gantry and Apollo/Saturn V Center are no longer valid for the new date. Ticket holders will be automatically refunded of their credit card purchase within 7-10 days.


https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/events

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Interesting that AF will live stream:

#WGS9 launches on #DeltaIV Saturday at 7:44 p.m. EST will live stream on af.mil. @usairforce @45thSpaceWing

https://twitter.com/afspace/status/842829420918456320

[Chris Bergin]

ULA:


ULA LRR was completed today and everything is progressing toward the ULA Delta IV launch carrying the WGS-9 satellite for the U.S. Air Force. The mission is set to lift off on a ULA Delta IV rocket on Saturday, March 18 from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Base in Florida. Today’s L-1 forecast shows a 90 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. The March 18 launch window is 7:44-8:59 p.m. EDT.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Lyn

 

Delta IV WGS-9 mission book attached.

 

Saturday, March 18, 2017

·         9:30 a.m.: Remote camera photographers meet at Cape Canaveral Space and History Center to caravan to SLC-37

 

Launch Forecast Summary:

Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 10%

Primary concerns: Cumulus Clouds

 

Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24 hour delay: 20%

Primary concern: Liftoff Winds

 

ALL TIMES EASTERN TIME

 

LAUNCH

SATURDAY, MARCH 18

BARS + TONE – 6:54 P.M.

PROGRAM START – 7:24 P.M.

LAUNCH WINDOW—7:44 P.M. – 8:59 P.M.

 

DIGITAL SATELLITE C-BAND DOWNLINK
HD FORMAT
SATELLITE — SES 3
TRANSPONDER — 23
BAND — C-BAND DIGITAL
ORBITAL POSITION — 103°W
HD BANDWIDTH — 18 MHz (HALF TRANSPONDER`CD’)
UPLINK — 6394.000 V
DOWNLINK — 4169.000 H
SYMBOL RATE — 13
FEC — Ύ
DATA RATE — 17.9705
DVBS – QPSK
MPEG 2
AUDIO EMBEDDED

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Moved for live coverage.